Words / B2

uh-MID/əˈmɪd/

Amid is a slightly literary or journalistic preposition meaning in the middle of a situation or a mass of things: amid the noise, amid growing concern. Among is for people or separate items; during is for time. In the middle of is the everyday phrase. Amidst is an older variant. You do not usually say amid the table — use on or in.

Meaning

In the middle of, or during a situation.

Examples

• “Amid the noise, she kept reading.”
• “Amid budget cuts, the library kept evening hours.”
• “She stayed calm amid a welter of last-minute emails.”

Good to know

amid + noun (situation/mass). Everyday: in the middle of. Contrast: among = separate items/people.

Near in meaning

among

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